Coin-controlled mechanism for vending-machines.



J. FRITSUHB.

G01N GONTROLLBD MEGHANISM FOR VENDING MAGHINEB.

APPLICATION IILED DBO. 3,1008.

Patented Oct. 26, 1909.

S BHEETS-BHBET 1.

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ttaznujo J. FRITSGHE. oom OONTROLLBD MEGHANISM Pon VENDING MAGHINES.APPLICATION FILED DBO. 3,1908.

938,41 9. Patented Oct. 26, 1909.

l l C E as a 34 30 if lo J. FRITSCHE. GOIN GONTBOLLBD MEGHANISM FOR.VENDING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.3|1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented Get. 26, 1909.

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su o .t H a v H ad UNiTnD sfrafrns rnfrnNT orrion.

JOHN FRITSCHE, OF PHILADELPHIA, '.PENI\l'S.(LVANIILy ASSIGNOR TO THEBOOK MATCH SALES COMPANY, OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEWJERSEY.

COIN-CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 26, 1909.

Application led December 3, 1908. Serial No. 465,762.

To all whom "it moy concern:

Be it known that l', .lonN Fiu'rscun, a citizen of the VUnited States,residin in the city and county of Philadelphia, vtate of Pennsylvania,have invented a new and uscful Coin-Controlled llflechanisin forVendiug-ltlachines` of which the following is a. specification.

y My present invention consists of a novel construction of coincoiitrolled mechanism for vending machines wherein any desired articlemay be vended owing to the intermittent movement of the articlecontainer, although my present invention is especially designed to beemployed in conjunction with a vending machine for book matches such asis disclosed and broadly claimed in my prior patent No. 901.091,although it is to be understood that my present lnvention is not limitedto use with such a construction is shown in my prior patent to which lhave hereinbcfore referred.

My invention further consists of a novel construction of vendingmechanism wherein novel means is employed for guiding' the coin into itsproper location in a coin wheel and novel means co-acting with the coinin such wheel to cause the container to be intermittently advanced stepb i step.

It further consists o a novel construction of a coin slot and a novelconstruction of a lever co-acting therewith to permit the same to openwhen a real or bogus coin has been held therein.

It further consists of a novel construction of a vending mechanismwherein a coin wheel is employed provided with slots or apertures at itsouter periphery into -which a coin is adapted to be gulded, means beingalso provided for preventing improper movement of such coin wheel and anovel construction of a spring actuated lever being employed adapted toco-act with a coin in said coin wheel and thereby actuate the vendingmechanism.

It further consists of a novel construction of a vending device of asimplitied construction wherein the number of parts employed has beenrednced to a minimum, the parts being so constructed that they may bereadily cast or stamped out of the material with consequent reduction inthe cost of manufacture.

It further consists of other novel features of ctmstruetion all as willhereinafter more fully appear.

For thc purpose of illustrating my invention l have shown in theaccompanying drawings but one form thereof, since this embodiment is atpresent preferred by me and in practice has given satisfactory andreliable results, although it is to be understood that the variousinstrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variouslyarranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to theprecise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalitics asherein illustrated.

Figure l represents a sectional view of a coin controlled mechanism forvending machines embodying my invention.y the upper portion thereofhaving been removed and the section heilig taken on line X-X Fig. 2.Fig. 2 represents a sectional plan view of Fig. l, a portion thereofhaving been cut away. Fig. 3 represents a sectional view showing moreclearly the construction of a. portion of Fig. l. Fig. 4 represents asec tional view showing a portion of the machine and the rear view ofthe lever and its adjuncts co-acting with the coin wheel, Fig. 5represents a sectional view showing more clearly certain details ofconstruction. Fig. G represents a sectional view of a portion of thedevice showing morer clearly the manner in which the springs co-act withthe rotata blc coin wheel. Fig. 7 represents a section on line g/-y Fig.5. Fig. S represents a perspective view of a portion of the machineshowing more clearly the springs which coact with the coin wheel. Fig. 9represents a side elevation showing more clearly the outer casing. Fig.10 represents a perspective view o a portion of the device showing themanner in which the actuating lever co-acts with a coin in the coinwheel.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in thefigures.

Referring to the drawings. In the present application I have deemed itunnecessary to show and describe in detail the container for thearticles which are to be vended since I make no claims to such featuresin the present application since the construction of the container forthe articles to be vended is described and broadly claimed in aco-pending application filed on even date with this application and towhich reference may be had tor one type of a container which may beemployed to advantage in connection with the coin controlled mechanismherein disclosed.

1 designates the base ot the machine the contour o1 which may vary asdesired. such base being cast` or stamped t'rom the nu'lal in such amanner that a roin receptacle 2 is jformed therein and a dischargeopening il, whereby coins ot' improper dimension :1nd bogus coins may beautomatically returned toa position accessible to the intendingpurchaser.

sl designates a shat't rotatably mounted in the top portion of the base1, said shat't ha ving secured thereon in any suitable manner a coinwheel .3, said shaft being secured in place by 111 ans of a screw ."11and suitable washers T. The coin wheel is provided with the apertures orslots t) iu its outer periphery which may be arranged thereon in anydesired manner either radially or otherwise. although in the presentinstance l have shown these slots as being inclined; this is notessential in all ases. The bottom of the coin wheel 5 is faced ott nearthe periphery of the wheel in order to form the ratchet teeth 8. whichlatter are adapted to co-act with the cam 9 carried by the spring arm 10one end of which is free, the other end thereof being suitably securedto a tixed point such as the base 1. by means oi fastening devices 1.1,it being` understood that the cam 1l co-acts with the ratchet teeth 8 topermit the coin wheel to rotate in one direction only. A

12 designates a spring one end of which is fixedly secured at anysuitable point by means of suitable fastening devices.y the free end ofsaid spring being inwardly defiected as indicated at 13, whereby themovement of the coin wheel 5 in its proper direction is normallyprevented.

11 designates a preferably resilient guard one end o1 which is securedto the spring 12 by suitable fastening devices 15, it being noted thatthe end of the member 14 eX- tends beyond the outlet as will be readilyunderstood by reference to Fig. 8, and the purpose of this member 11will hereinafter more fully appear in the description of the operationof the mechanism.

1.6 designates a standard or bracket which is secured to the base 1 byany suitable means. The standard 1G is provided with a coin chute 17 ofany desired or conventional type although in the present instance l haveshown a` coin chute which is constructed in accordance with my priorpatent.j Number 852,111 dated April 30th, 1907'.y wherein I havedescribed and broadly claimed a construction which permits coins ofimproper dimension and bogus coins to be returned to a positionaccessible to the intending purchaser. One side of the coin chute 1T is,in

the presentinstance, integral with the standard 1b.y the other side 18thereof being pivoted at 1.) so that it normally tends to move outwardlyfrom the stationary side due to its own weight.

2() designates an apertured plate which is secured at the outer end ofthe coin chute, the aperture in such plate being o1 the proper dimensionto permit a suitable coin to pass therethrough. In my presentconstruction the machine is adapted to be operated by a single coin. Theupper portion ot' the coin chute is provided with a groove 21 and thelower portion thereof forms a V shaped slot 22 when the parts are inassembled position7 it being noted that owing to the provision o1 a` setscrew 23, the distance to which the pivoted member Y18 may approach thestationary side of the coin chute is limited as desired, thereby varyingthe size ot' the slot 22 and adapting the same for coins of di'tierentdimensions.

24; designates a spring, one end of which is secured to the. pivotedmember 18, the t'ree end thereof being suitably deflected in order to,co-act with the cam face 25 on a lever :28, which is tixed on a rod 27fulcrumcd iu thc upper part of the standard 1G.

28 designates an operating handle adapted to surround the outer end ofthe rod 2T and to interlock therewith. Said handle 28 be ing providedwith the apertures or recesses 29 thereby adapting the same to interlockwith the pin 3() which is in fiXed engagement with the shai't 2T, saidpin having secured thereto one end of a spring 31, the other end ofwhich is secured to a suitable fixed point as the hook 32, carried bythe standard 1G. The movement of the lever 2G is limited by the stops 33which are preferably cushioned with suitable material 34. The lower endof the lever Q6 is cut away as indicated at 35 in order to form ashoulder 36, which latter is adapted to co-act with a coin 87 in a coinslot (i, as will be clearly understood by reference to Fig. 10.

38 designates a cylindrical casing, the lower end of which is adapted tobe seated in an annular' groove 30, located at the top of the base 1.The upper end of the casing 38 is defiected as indicated at 39, in orderto form an annular groove, and the eXtreme upper end of said casing isdeflected inwardly as is indicated at 40.

41 designates a transparent cover, having any desired contour, the lowerend of said cover hll1 being flared outwardly as is indicated at. 42, inorder to adapt the same to engage with the inwardly deflected portionL10 ot' the casing 38 which latter incloses the actuating parts of themachine so thatr the same are rendered invisible to the operator.y itbeing understood that the only ortions of the machine which are visiblewill preferably be the container, for the articles to be vended, whichare inclosed by the transparent cover lll. 'l`he ring 43 is {Hofer-ablycovered at certain places with cloth or rubber 44 so that the cover--lrl will be yieldingly maintained in engagement with the casing 38, aswill be readily apparent'. from Fig. 1. The easing 38 is provided withan opening l5 which registers with the apertnred plate 2() so that thecoins may be readily passed into the machine..

4G designates the discharge opening through the casing 3H, wherebyarticles discharged from the container may pass into a. locationaccessible to the intending pur- Chaser.

47 designates a standard, the lower end of which is secured to the base1 in any de sired manner, said standard being provided with a recess 48with which ada l)ted to engage a pin 49 carried by the casing 3S. Theupper end of the standard 47 is secured to a plate 50 on which thearticles to be vended are supported will be readily understood byreference to my cti-pending application for container.

The operation of my novel construction of coin controlled mechanism forvending machines Will now be readily apparent, and is as follows: A coinof the desired dimension is inserted in the aperture of the plate 20 andpasses through the coin slot 17 over the top of the spring 14, into oneof the slots 6 in the coin Wheel 5, as will be clearly understood byreference to Fig. 2 of the drawings. It being understood that the spring24 which engages with the cam face 25 on the lever 26, will canse thepivoted member l of the coin slot to maintain its normal position as isindicated in Fig. 7. The coin has now passed into the machine and beenlocated in one of the slots 6 of the coin wheel 5. The intendingpurchaser now actuates the handle 28 thereby causing the lever 26, tomove toward the left, 1n the direction of the arrow seen in Fig. 4,whereupon the cam face 25 moves out of engagement with the sprin 24, andpermits the pivoted member 18 o the coin slot to open so that if a coinof improper dimensions has been retained therein, the same may falltherefrom into the slot 3 and pass to a position accessible to theintending purchaser. As the lever continues its forward movement theshoulder 36 comes into engagement with the coin in the coin wheelthereby causing the coin to depress the spring 10 so that the cam 9thereon becomes disengaged from its ratchet tooth 8 so that on thecontinued movement of the lever 26 since the same is in engagement withone of the coins the coin Wheel will be advanced one step, the defiectedend 13 of the spring 12 engaging with the next slot in the coin Wheel asis evident.

It Will be understood'that the coin is supported Within one of theperipheral slots 6 in such a manner that it rests upon the spring l()and is prevented vfrom lateral movement in said slot by the extension 14which prevents said coins from passing into the return slot it so thatif a coin has passed through the coin slot. into one of the peripheralslots in the coin wheel the coin wheel will be advanced one .step on the'forward movement of the lever 2t). The actuating handle 2S may besecured to the rod 27 by any suitable means such as for example, asuitable screw carried by said handle and engaging with the rod 27.

Then it is desired to assemble or separate the parts, it will beapparent that the casiiw 38 and the cover 4l may be readily remove(after the actuating handle 2S has been removed and the casing 325partially rotated, whereupon the pin and the casing 3S may be readilyremoved.

then it is desired to remove the coin mechanism the entire coinmechanism, with the exception of the coin wheel, and its adjuncts, maybe removed by simply removing the standard 16 from the base l as will beevident.

In the present instance I have shown the slots in the periphery of thecoin wheel 5 as being slightly inclined, but this is not essential underall conditions and these slots may be located radially or in any otherdesired manner, it being apparent that the coins are prevented fromimproper movement in their respective slot owing to the provision of thesprings 10 and 14. As soon as the coins in the coin wheel 5 pass beyondthe spring l() the coins therein may fall from the coin wheel into thecoin receptacle 2 and the base 1.

I wish to call special attention to the simplied construction of thecoin mechanism and the manner in which the parts may be readily andcheaply manufactured. The standard 1G, comprising the bearing for therod 28 and the stationary portion of the coin slot, is all cast in onepiece, and since the different parts may be readily stamped and formedfrom the metal, the diterent parts of the mechanism can be cheaply madeinterchangeable as will be apparent to those skilled in this art. In thepresent instance I have shown the exact type of coin slot employedcommercially in conjunction with this type of machine although it is tobe understood that other types of such coin slots may be employed andthe feature of the fraud preventive devices may be dispensed with, ifdesired an'd simply a straight coin slot employed.

It will now be apparent that I have devised a novel and usefulconstruction of coin controlled mechanism for vending machines whichembodies the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in thestatement of invention and the foregoing description and while I have inthe present instance shown and described a preferred embodiment thereof,which in practice has given satisfactory and reliable results, it is tobe understood that the same is susceptible of modification in variousparticulars, without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is;

l. In a device of the character described, a coin wheel rotatablymounted and adapted to be connected with a container, said wheel havingslots in its periphery, a spring forming a closed bottom for certain ofsaid slots and adapted to interlock with one of said slots to normallyprevent movement of said wheel in one direction, means for guiding acoin to its proper slot above said spring, and means coacting with saidcoin to depress said spring and advance said coin wheel to be advancedone step.

2. In a device of the character described, a base having a coinreceptacle therein, a coin wheel rotatably mounted on said base, saidwheel having slots in its periphery, a spring having one end secured tosaid base and its free end extending beneath certain of said slots toclose the bottom thereof and having means adapted to interlock with aslot, a second spring for closing the outer periphery of said slots, acoin slot leading to one of the slots in said wheel, and means forcausing a coin to depress said spring to cause the latter to becomeunlocked from its slot to advance said coin wheel one step When suchunlocking takes place.

3. In a device of the character described, a base having a coinreceptacle therein, a coin wheel rotatably mounted on said base andprovided with slots in its periphery, a spring one end of which issecured to said base, the other end thereof extending beneath certain ofsaid slots to close the bottom thereof, a coin chute leading to one ofsaid slots above said spring, said spring having means thereon adaptedto interlock with said com wheel to prevent its movement in onedirection and resilient means for pre` venting the movement of said coinWheel in the opposite direction.

4. In a device of the character described, a base, a coin wheelrotatably mounted thereon and having peripheral slots said wheel beingprovided on its under side near its outer periphery with ratchet teeth,a spring having one end secured to said base and eX- tending beneathcertain of said slots to close the bottom thereof, a cam on said springadapted to interlock with said ratchet teeth to prevent movement-of saidwheel in one direction, a spring ada ted to interlock with the outerperiphery o said slots to prevent movement of said wheel in the oppositedirection, a coin chute for guiding a coin into one of said slots abovesaid spring, and means co-acting with the coin to depress said springand unlock said cam member from its ratchet and to advance said coinwheel one step when such unlocking takes place.

5. In a device of the character' described, a base, a coin wheelrotatable thereon and having slots through its outer periphery, a coinchute leading to one of said slots, a ratchet mechanism co-acting withsaid slots to control the rotation of said coin ywheel and to preventescape of a coin from its slot, a spring coactmg with said slots topermit forward rotation of said vwheel and prevent rearward rotationthereof, and means co-acting with a coin in a slot to actuate saidmechanism and coin wheel.

(i. In a device of the character described, a base, a coin wheelrotatable thereon and having slots theretln'ough, a coin chutedischarging into one of said slots, a` ratchet mechanism controllingrotation of said wheel and closing the bottom of the slot in which thecoin is received, a spring coacting with said slots lo permit forwardrotation of said Wheel and prevent rearward rotation thereof, and meansco-acting with a coin in a slot to control said ratchet mechanism andactuate said wheel.

7. In a device of the character described, a base, a coin wheelrotatable thereon and having slots therethrough, a coin chutedischarging into one of said slots, a ratchet mechanism controllingrotation of said wheel in one direction and closing one side of saidcoin receiving slot and controlled by a coin, means co-acting with saidslots to permit rotation of said wheel in a reverse direction, and alever suitably fulcrumed and adapted to co-act with a coin in saidwheel.

8. ln a device of the character described, a base, a coin wheelrotatable thereon and having slots therethrough, a coin chutedischarging into one of said slots, a ratchet mechanism controllingrotation of said wheel closing one side of said coin receiving slot andcontrolled by a coin, said mechanism normally positively preventingrotation of said wheel in its operative direction, a lever suitablyfulcruined and adapted to co-act with a coin in said wheel, and atension device for said lever.

9. In a device of the character described, a base, a coin wheelrotatable thereon and having a plurality of slots, a ratchet mechanismcontrolling said wheel and retaining the coins in certain of said slots,a standard carried by said base, a coin chute carried by said standardand discharging into one of said slots, and a lever mounted in saidstandard and co-acting with a coin to control said ratchet mechanism andsaid wheel.

l0. In a device of the character described,

a base, a coin wheel rotatable thereon and having a plurality of slots,a ratchet. mechanism controlling said Wheel and retaining the coins incertain of said slots, a standard carried by said base, a coin chutecarried by said standard and discharging into one of said slots, and alevel' mounted in said standard and having a shoulder (fo-acting Willi acoin to control said ratchet mechanism and said Wheel.

1 1. ln a device of the character described, a base, a coin wheelrotatable thereon and having a plurality of slots, a ratchet mechanismcontrolling said wheel and retaining coins in predetermined slots, astandard carried by said base, and having one side of a coin chuteintegral therewith, the outer side thereof being pivoted thereto, aresilient member secured to said pivotal side, a lever mounted in saidstandard and co-acting with a coin to control said ratchet mechanism andsaid Wheel and (fo-acting with said spring to control said pivoted side,and a tension device for said lever.

12. In a device of the character described, a base, a coin wheelrotatable thereon and having a plurality of slots, a ratchet mech anismcontrolling said wheel and retaining the coins in certain ot' saidslots, a standard carried by said base, a coin chute carried by saidstandard and discharging into one of said slots, a coin return chute inproximity to said coin chute, means for preventing a coin passing fromits slot into said coin return chute, and a lever mounted in saidstandard and co-acting with a coin to control said ratchet mechanism andsaid wheel.

13. In a device of the character described, a base, a coin wheelrotatable thereon and having a plurality of slots, the lower end of saidslots being recessed to form ratchet teeth, a spring having one endsecured to said base, the other end thereof extendinfr beneath one ofsaid slots, a cam on said spring co-acting with said ratchet teeth, aspring having one end iiXed and the other end thereof adapted tointerlock with the outer periphery of said slots and to permit rotationof said wheel in one direction, a coin chute leading to the slot closedby said springs, and means co-acting with a coin in such slot forintermittently rotating said coin Wheel.

14. In a device of the character described, a base, a coin Wheelrotatably mounted thereon and having a plurality of inclined slots inits outer periphery, the lower portion of said slots being recessed toform ratchet teeth, a spring having one end fixed to said base, theother end thereof closing the bottom of certain of said slots, means onsaid spring co-acting With said teeth to prevent rotation of said coinWheel in one direction, yielding means tvo-acting with said slots toprevent rotation of said Wheel in a reverse direction and for closingthe outer periphery ot said slots, a coin chute discharglng into a slotclosed by said springs, and devices coacting 'with a coin in a chute tocause the latter to co-act with the means on said spring to depress thelatter and intermittently rotate said coin wheel.

15. In a device of the character described,-

the combination with a base, of a coin Wheel rotatably mounted thereonand provided with a plurality of inclined slots in its periphery, thelower portion of said slots being cut away to form ratchet teeth, aspring hav ing one end fixed to said base and the other end thereoicclosing the bottom of a plurality of slots, a cam on said springco-acting with said teeth to prevent rotation of said Wheel in onedirection, yielding means for permitting rotation of said Wheel in a`reverse direction and closing the outer periphery of said slots inproximity to said cam, said base having a discharge opening for coins ofimproper dimension, a guard carried by said resilient means andextending across said discharge opening, means for conducting a coininto the slot above said cam, and means co-acting with a coin to causethe latter to release said cam from its engagement with its tooth and torotate said coin wheel one step.

16. ln a device of the character described, the combination with a base,of a coin Wheel rotatably mounted thereon and provided with a pluralityof inclined slots, the lower portions of which are recessed to formratchet teeth, a spring having one end secured to said base, the otherend thereof closing a plurality of slots, a cam on said springco-actin0r With said teeth, a sprin having one end tiXed and the otheren thereof deiected to engage with the outer periphery of the coinslots, said base having a discharge opening therein, a guard carried bysaid second spring and extending across said discharge opening, a coinchute for conducting a coin into the slot above said cam, and meansco-acting with the coin to canse the latter to release said cam from itsengagement With said ratchet teeth and to rotate said container onestep.

C. D. MCVAY.

